Influence of Momordica charantia on oxidative stress-induced perturbations in brain monoamines and plasma corticosterone in albino rats

Abstract

Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the antistress activity of Momordica charantia (MC) fruit extract on stress-induced changes in albino rats and also to explore attenuating effects of MC on in vitro lipid peroxidation in rat brain.Materials and Methods:In this study, Wistar albino rats (180–200 g) were used. Plasma corticosterone and monoamines—5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA) in cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus regions of brain were determined in animals under different stressful conditions. Ethanolic fruit extract of MC, at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, was used. The oxidative stress paradigms used in in vivo models were acute stress (AS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Panax quinquefolium (PQ) was used as a standard in in vivo models and ascorbic acid was used as a reference standard in the in vitro method.Results:Subjecting the animals to AS (immobilization for 150 min once only) resulted in significant elevation of plasma corticosterone levels and brain monoamine levels. Pretreatment with MC at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. significantly countered AS-induced changes and a similar effect was exhibited by PQ at 100 mg/kg p.o. In the CUS regimen (different stressors for 7 days), plasma corticosterone levels were significantly elevated whereas the levels of 5-HT, NE, E, and DA were depleted significantly. Pretreatment with MC (200 and 400 mg/kg) attenuated the CUS-induced changes in the levels of above monoamines in cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus regions of brain and plasma corticosterone in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MC extract (1000–5000 μg/mL) exhibited a significant quenching effect on in vitro lipid peroxidation indicating its strong antioxidant activity which was compared with ascorbic acid.Conclusions:This study reveals the antistress activity of MC as it significantly reverted the stress-induced changes, and the activity might be attributed to its antioxidant activity since stress is known to involve several oxidative mechanisms.

Bitter melon: a panacea for inflammation and cancer

“…Pretreatment with MC significantly reverts acute stress (immobilization for 150 min once only)-induced changes in levels of brain monoamine (5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) and the level of plasma corticosterone. This study has shown that the anti-stress activity of MC might be due to its anti-oxidant potential [104] . Nerurkar et al have investigated the neuroprotective effects of MC on a high-fat diet (HFD)-associated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, stress and neuroinflammatory cytokines in C57BL/6 female mice.…”

In VivoAntistress and Antioxidant Effects of Fermented and Germinated Mung Bean

“…Neurotransmitters including noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) are the important biogenic monoamines. Under stress condition, NA and 5-HT will be highly elevated [ 2 , 3 ]. However, extreme stress can cause impaired dopamine neurons [ 1 ] and collapse the homeostasis which may lead to various psychotic disorders including immunosuppression, hypertension, anxiety, endocrine disorder, and behaviour disorder [ 4 ].…”

“…Herbal medicines have been proposed as a cheaper and safer potential antistress agent. For examples, Withania somnifera, Piper longum, Momordica charantia, and Asparagus racemosus have been reported to have adaptogenic effect [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]. Legumes have also received great attention due to the presence of phytochemicals and their bioactivities.…”

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a natural healthy vegetable

“…To our knowledge, this is the first report which states that Type I ribosomal inactivating proteins derived from dietary bitter melon possess HDACi activity and can selectively induce apoptosis in premalignant and malignant prostate cells and inhibit human prostate cancer cell growth in vivo. [136,137] Inflammation and bitter melon Inflammation is a complicated immune process that can be defined by the sequential release of mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon (IFN)-c, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, and the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Inflammation is settled by anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-a, and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-b.…”